by Claire Angel
I could feel the exertion on my inner thighs and down my legs. I heard her screaming and it sent this not so subtle signal down below. The wave of her excitement was crashing against the invading force inside of her. She scorched the surface of my shaft in the baking oven of her resistance.
“Give it to me. Why won’t you give me what I want? You can’t keep it from me forever and you’re going to have to find that sweet release.” I dragged her off the bed and she was hanging upside down with my hands holding her tightly to my embrace.
Her body was completely at my mercy with her dress was captured around her arms leaving her in a compromising position. I wasn’t going to be able to hold out much longer with this kind of visual. I did feel like I should give up, but I wasn’t going to do that.
I came heavily with thrusts they made sure that she received every single drop.
She snapped her fingers together and the veil lifted.
It was like the walls were caving in around me. I stumbled back with the remnants of my excitement dripping from the tip. I swallowed hard with those memories happening in a cascade of images.
“I killed a kid by accident on the side of the road. I didn’t see him until it was too late. I did search for him in the dark, but it was like finding a needle in a haystack. I almost fell into the raging river below. I left the scene of the crime and never reported it afraid how it is going to affect my college application.” I blurted out and it was finally something that I couldn’t hide from
“How old were you?”
“I was only 16 and just received my license a week before the accident. The kid was found a few days later by a hunter and his dog washed up on shore as a bloated corpse. It was a horrible way for the parents to identify the body. I must’ve blocked out the memory and then I remembered the date like it was yesterday.”
“Why is that, Cadence?”
“A week ago was the anniversary and the symptoms were a lot more severe, but this time they didn’t go away like they usually did,” I remembered every gory little detail and somehow the sex had opened up my mind which was probably by design.
“There had to be a trigger,” She suggested still lying on the bed after a moment that was going to live in infamy.
“I do recall reading an article about his last remaining relative on death’s door. His father is in the hospital and doesn’t have long to live.” It was like a dam had broken inside my mind after the kind of orgasm that left me breathless.
“It’s the guilt and you need to talk to him before he takes his last breath. I know it’s not going to be easy, but he deserves closure. Clean the slate and you can begin a new chapter in your life. I will stand by your side,” She said and I sat down with those memories repeating themselves in a loop over and over again.
It was time to set the record straight and let the chips fall where they may.
Epilogue
Cadence
The court had ruled that I would have to commit to 500 hours of community service. I was lucky not to land behind bars, but they had taken into account all the charitable work I had done.
That was a year ago and my last piece of trash was picked up on the side of the highway three months ago. The kid’s father forgave me, but he did request that I come clean to the authorities as a sign of good faith. Deborah made a plea on my behalf citing memory loss for my criminal behaviour. Her professionalism gave me a chance to speak my mind.
“It’s finally over. You have been under a doctor’s care for the last nine months. I had to refer your case to another Physician. I had a conflict of interest, but at least I could accompany you. Amy is using her uncle’s place while she was attending some classes and I was able to convince her to take you underneath her care.” She blushed and I reached over in the car to take her hand.
We arrived back at the English estate where I was getting my treatment. It was a beautiful place and spending time in the English countryside had untethered my mind from the past. I enjoyed the solitude and it was off-season, but I never did get the Super Bowl ring around my finger. I had taken some time off, but the coach was calling to recruit me back into the fold.
It was a little disconcerting to driving on the other side of the road. There were a few moments where I veered off the beaten track, but she was quick to put me back on the straight and narrow.
“I don’t think that I could ask for anything better than spending a few months here with your friend. You’ve already done most of the hard work, but she took over where you left off. I feel like I can finally get back to my life, but another couple of weeks won’t hurt me.” The rolling countryside and the manicured hedges leading into a garden with wildflowers had become my refuge.
“This is truly a place that you can unwind without everybody vying for your attention. Football isn’t very common across the pond. There might be some die-hard fans in local towns, but we rarely venture any further than the garden. I know you got some strange looks when we acquired provisions to bring back to the estate. I don’t know where you disappeared to, but I have this sinking suspicion that you are up to something.” She was looking at me and I was trying to avoid making eye contact.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” It sounded good in my head but didn’t really have the conviction to convince her otherwise.
We got out and meandered around the property. There was always something new to see. I was finding out what my priorities were. She was at the top of the list.
“I was wondering what was taking you so long. These last few months have been a wild ride, but I’m glad I was there for the both of you. We should do something special. Do you have anything in mind?” Amy asked and this was my cue.
We had been practicing and set everything up including the impromptu visit to a local village.
“I have something in mind.” I got down on one knee and produced the ring box.
It was a cut diamond surrounded by her birthstones in a ring. I took her hand and I didn’t even get the words out of my mouth.
“I will marry you. I’ve been waiting for you to ask. I almost did it myself, but Amy convinced me not to. It’s quite obvious why she did that.” Her hand was shaking and then we sealed it with a kiss.
I had everything and she made it possible by being stubborn and sweet. My life was complete and we had already discussed children. A big family with 4 children were waiting for us to bring them into existence. I was healed, but it would always be a work in progress.
Mental health was a struggle for most at the best of times. I was ready to embark on a new journey, but my passion for football would never go away. I just had something important to work toward.
A family was what was missing with a good woman to stand by me in the good times and the bad. I had found my soul mate. I couldn’t stop smiling.
***
THE END
Sample: My Agent’s Son: A Bad Boy Christmas Romance
Blurb:
Alicia is one of the many struggling artists in New York, using her chance to prove herself every chance she got. One night at a gallery wouldn’t only be the start of her career but the start of an all-consuming attraction that would be hard to shake.
It was too bad that the man was the son of her new agent and completely off limits. It was too much to know that he’d slept with most of the socialites in the city.
Something about Brandon made her give in to him despite my doubts.
They fell into a passionate affair that was strong if not brief, one that would rock their worlds.
Could they make it through all the barriers?
Could they hide their relationship and keep everything Alicia worked so hard for?
Could Alicia handle her professional life along with sleeping with the son of the woman that controlled her future career?
*****
Chapter 1
Brandon
I stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around me, usin
g my free hand to pinch the bridge of my nose. I could hear music filtering through the apartment and groaned at the thought of socializing tonight. I felt like shit from drinking my blues away last night and just wanted to sleep a few hours before work tomorrow.
I dried off slowly and pulled on some lounge pants. I knew that my sister was getting ready in the hallway bathroom and that she was the one singing along to the music in her loud voice. Molly moved out and I wouldn’t hear her voice anymore. Not only that, she did it while I was away on business.
I stepped into my bedroom and walked into the hallway to see lights shining in from two of the rooms. She was singing a Kelly Clarkson song badly, and I shook my head slowly.
“Are you sure you need me tonight? Call one of the pretty boys you insist on dating.” I told her, walking to the bathroom where she was wrapped in a robe and leaning into the mirror so far, I wanted to pull her away. Judging from her intense expression, she was in the middle of something important.
“Mom wants us to go, B. This is one of her most important clients and she needs family to represent.” She turned unblinking blue eyes towards me and I sighed.
My mother was an agent to several celebrities in the New York area and happened to catch the flu two days before this showing. She always begged me and Moira to take her place when that happened though it was rare. It was probably the reason I felt a bit out of place at these things since I was used to talking numbers and investing. The creative types didn’t want to hear about that as much as I’d like. They were usually starting out with stars in their eyes. I admired that, but I just wanted to help them secure their futures.
“Why tonight? I feel like shit from last night.” I grumbled as she rolled her eyes.
“It’s not my fault that you went out drinking after a long day at work. Is it punishment when you go in early the day after that?” She mused as I stared at her. “I have plans later, anyway. We’ll just make an appearance and you can come home and roll in your own pity.” She turned to the mirror. “Go fix your ugly face and get dressed. Martin is picking us up in an hour. Drink some Vitamin water while you do that, and you might feel better.”
“Fucking hell, Moira.” I grumbled as I stumbled to the kitchen and grabbed two of the cold bottles from the fridge. She might be five years younger than me, but she had a good head on her shoulders. I felt like she was the older sibling most of the time.
I added some product to my hair and styled it in the messy way that women seemed to favor. I chuckled at Moira’s comment about being ugly since we both knew that I could get any woman I wanted in the city. Molly was a rare relationship for me and one that I believed in. I shared the same dark brown hair and bright green eyes with my sister and we both did well out there.
I looked into the mirror and made sure my hair was perfect before rubbing the stubble on my face. I decided to leave it and walked into the bedroom to get my go to tuxedo from the closet. I hated wearing them, but business was business.
I straightened the tie that matched my eyes before taking the last sip from the second bottle. It did make me feel a bit more stable, and I found my shoes, slipping them over the expensive socks I favored for these occasions. I heard the click of heels outside the bedroom door and moved to stand as Moira tapped on the thick wood.
“Ready to dazzle?” She called as I slipped what I needed into my pockets and headed over to leave.
“Aren’t the artists supposed to do that?” I asked dryly as I looked down at her. I was three inches taller than my sister even in her stilettos and she raised a brow at me. “You look nice.”
“Thank you.” She said as she ran a hand down her ombre purple dress that she paired with glittering silver heels. Moira was the more bohemian of the two of us and it made me smile. “I think that Martin is waiting for us. Ready?”
“Let’s do it.” She downed the glass of wine and clutched her small purse as we headed to the front door. This was my brownstone though she stayed here a lot if she didn’t want to make the drive to my parent’s place across town. I pulled the door closed and secured it with the app on my phone before leading her to the elevator.
The town car was shimmering under the street lights as Martin opened the door for us. I nodded at him as Moira slipped into the car first, taking my seat beside her as I looked at the group of women ogling me as they passed. I was all about casual now after Molly. I started last night with some nameless blonde in one of the storage closets.
The car moved smoothly into the street and I stared out of the window as the buildings flashed by. I felt like I could pull a few hours of mindless socializing with a winning smile. My mom was known as a caring, devoted agent and I kept that in mind as I promoted her and our family name. Moira was busy on her phone and I smiled at her as I watched.
Growing up, I was always protective of my only sibling. I was the typical big brother, but she showed that she could hold her own early on. Now, I was watching her work as an assistant to a successful attorney and make her way in the city with confidence and a generous dose of sass.
I looked out of the window and worried about my sick mom. I knew that Dad was taking care of her and she’d be back at life soon, but I always looked to her as the strong one in our family. If Dad wasn’t doing well as the owner of a successful property management company, I would take care of her and Moira myself.
“We’re here. I love that little coffee shop on the corner!” Moira’s words broke into my thoughts and I looked out as the car slid to a stop across the street from a building crowded with people inside and out. It was in Brooklyn and I quietly admired the vibrant feel of this part of town.
Martin opened the door, and I stepped out, taking Moira’s arm as we looked back and forth before crossing the street. Once the crowd parted, I could see the building was a smaller one that stood out on the block. The front was all windows and I could see that the lighting was intimate but perfect for the art showing inside. Moira greeted someone as we walked through the wide glass doors that were propped open, letting in the cool evening air.
I spoke to friends of the family that were there, discussing upcoming events and holiday parties that we’d see each other at. They all seemed to be fond of the artist and spoke highly about her as I looked around to see who this woman was.
Once I was finished with my last conversation, I made my way to the small bar to order a beer. I wasn’t going to drink heavily tonight, but I needed to relax for a bit and get through this evening. I thanked the young woman and tipped her with a random bill from my pocket as she smiled sweetly at me. She was a redhead and might be good for later if I didn’t go home and sleep.
Chapter 2
Brandon
Once I had my beer, I walked around idly to take a look at the paintings that were placed artfully on the vibrant walls of the gallery. They were abstract and varied from bright and patterned to darker with shapes of people. I liked it.
I wasn’t a big art fan apart from appreciating it here and there when I visited friends. My apartment was the best of the best, but the walls were empty as far as art and pictures. I’d only been there for six months now and worked too much to decorate. Mom and Moira bitched at me on the regular, but it wasn’t at the top of my list.
I heard my sister laughing in one of the other expansive rooms, but my eyes were locked on one of the large paintings. It was of a shadowed woman on a beach looking over the water, painted in broad strokes on the canvas. I looked it over slowly and sipped my beer as I glanced at the tag hanging from the corner. I could afford it easily and I glanced around to find the owner before Moira walked into the room to find me.
“Are you shopping for something for the house?” She teased me as she glanced around. “Good stuff, isn’t it?”
“She’s talented. I’ve heard a lot of good things around the room and they were right.” I agreed as I focused on the painting that was now haunting my mind. “How do I purchase this one?”
“A
re you serious?” She asked as she looked over the painting. “It’s a little edgy for you, isn’t it?” I narrowed my eyes at her and she told me that she’d find the owner and be right back.
“Mr. Kinsley. Thank you for coming,” Diana greeted me with a hug as she joined me in front of the painting. “You like this piece?”
“I do. I’d like to purchase it this evening.” I told her as I pulled away, looking into her warm brown eyes. Diana was an older woman that worked with art for years. She was a close friend of Mom’s and had a lot to do with her booming career as an agent.
“Let’s go to my office and take care of the details.” She suggested, and I followed her through the gallery into a private office in the back of the building. She sat in her chair and I took the one across from it, making small talk as I filled out paperwork and paid for my new painting.
I left the office with a smile, knowing that I was done here for the night. I was turning to head to the bathrooms to my right when I saw a door open and someone tumble out. I rushed forward and caught them, hearing a gasp as my arms kept the person from falling to the marble floor. “Are you okay?” I asked as I noticed lavender hair moving under my face.
“Thanks to you,” came a soft voice as she righted herself and blinked at me. The lavender hair was just the beginning of the beauty of this woman. She had porcelain skin that was flushed and gray eyes that were wide on her face, making her different from the other women I had in my life.
“Hi.” She smiled, and her full lips caught my attention as I gazed at them for a moment.
“Hello.” I replied as something coursed through me that resembled my usual lust with a twist. “I haven’t seen you here. Did you just arrive?”
